Measure I ballots in mailboxes this week

The Measure I election to determine the fate of the Woodland-Davis surface water project goes live Monday, when Yolo County Elections Office staffers drop 37,159 ballots in the mail for Davis’ registered voters.

Ballots asking voters whether they approve of the $113 million surface water project that will pump water from the Sacramento River, treat it and pipe it to Davis and Woodland, likely will arrive in mailboxes by mid-week, according to Susan Patenaude, assistant clerk-recorder at the Elections Office.

“Toward the mid to end of next week or the beginning of the following week,” she said.

In addition to the ballots, voters also will receive a blue pre-posted and addressed envelope in which to return their completed ballot, along with a third sheet of paper bearing instructions on how to vote.

In order for the ballot to count as valid, the blue envelope must be signed.

Those who would rather submit their votes in person, or are concerned that a mailed ballot won’t reach the Elections Office by 8 p.m. March 5, can drop off completed ballots at the Yolo County Elections Office, 625 Court St., Room B05 in Woodland, or at the Stephens Branch Library, 315 E. 14th St. in Davis.

Elections officials also will set up a physical polling place on Tuesday, March 5, at the Veterans’ Memorial Center, 203 E. 14th St., if voters prefer to cast their ballots the old-fashioned way.

The last day to register for the Measure I election is Feb. 19.

Patenaude said the Elections Office will send out supplemental ballots to those who register after the initial ballot mailing.

Voters also can expect to begin receiving sample ballots this week that will include the text of the measure, the impartial analysis from the city attorney and the arguments and rebuttals for and against Measure I. Patenaude said residents can expect those sample ballots starting Monday and continuing through Feb. 15.

The arguments and rebuttals can be found on the city’s website at www.cityofdavis.org under the elections page through the city clerk’s office.